Southern California -- this just in

A&E reality TV star David Hester's store vandalized

October 27, 2011 | 3:49
pm

Signs outside the Rags to Riches store run by reality TV star Dave Hester have been defaced.

Black letters across the red and white consignment store sign read "davehesterfraud.com," and a sign announcing the store's move to Orange was pasted over with a sign reading "Newport con gallery has moved. For more information, go to davehesterfraud.com." The website urges people not to do business with the TV star.

Hester, who stars on A&E's "Storage Wars," ran the thrift store at 1941 Newport Blvd. until about a month ago, when the business moved to Orange.

Reached at his location in Orange, Hester said he was unaware of the defaced signs, but was not going to take them down, saying it was up to the discretion of the next owner.

The move to Orange was because of "personal matters," he told the Daily Pilot.

Brad Meadows, who works at a home-finding service near the Costa Mesa location, was surprised by the move.

"It was a popular place," Meadows said, adding that Hester's large lot was often so full customers would park outside his workplace.